Don't know what damaged my heart

[spen4]

I am a 58 y/o female who has had diabetes (non-insulin) and glaucoma since 1999. Outside of those conditions which were inherited, since every sibling on my father's side of the family and both is parents had diabetes and glaucoma. However, in November 2008, I went for my yearly physical and it was discovered that my heart rate was 130 beats per minute. I was referred to a cardiologist who performed every possible test that I am aware of and at the end of the day all he could tell me is that I have a weak heart and he does not know what caused it, and to add insult to injury he said "doctors do not know everything." Granted I am well aware that doctors do not know every thing but since I never, smoked, drank alcohol, or used drugs that were not prescribed by my doctor I am quite concerned. My medical report shows my LVEF 37% and my cardiologist thinks I should not be alarmed, since he has seen worst. Can anyone help me with answers?

[sciman]

I had a similar experience in that my ef was 46%, although my pulse was normal and my BP a little high. I've had a pretty healthy lifestyle for 45 years before my diagnosis (I'm and exercise fanatic). It sounds like you have idiopathic cardiomyopathy (no known cause). You might ask if your heart shows any signs of dilation or thickening (mine did not).  The meds you're on may improve your ef over time. I've read a lot of accounts of Coreg raising an ef by 10-20%. My cardiologist said the rule seems to be 1/3 get better, 1/3 stay the same and 1/3 get worse. Personally my ef remained unchanged after a year of Coreg, but I'm doing okay. Apparently cardiologists evaluate not only your ef, but other factors as well such as exercise tolerance. Even thought I have a low ef, my exercise tolerance is very high, so my cardiologist is not as concerned as he might be. I spent a year and a half worrying about my number, but it's just one piece of data. My cardiologist said he's evaluated athletes applying for scholarships that have efs in the 40s. So the number has to be factored in with other data. Of course if the ef gets real low than that's more of an issue by itself. Hope this helps.

[Me967]

That might be the correct answer, but not what I totally meant to put threw to you.  I was hoping to be there for you, but I'm not sure what Carvedilol, Micardis, and Spironocatone are.  You do need to lower your HR.  A HR of 130 is high.  

There is a great deal of people on here that understand this more than I.  I was hoping that chiming in on this maybe would bring some attention to your post.  

On MedHelp here you can also ask a doctor on the expert forums (I think...2 questions/ year) I hope you get the answers you need.  Take care and keep us posted please.

[spen4]

Hi Me967-

What is strange is that I have never had hypertension and I am not an insulin dependent diabetic. I was given Carvedilol, Micardis, and Spironocatone what my cardiologist is attempting to do is to slow my heart rate down but meds for slowing down my heart rate also lowers my already low normal blood pressure and then dizziness occurs. My PCP, my OB/GYN and my Opthalmologist are all alarmed but my cardiologist is not, so I guess I have to look for another cardiologist. Thanks for you help. Sandy

[Me967]

Did they give you any med's for the pre or hypertension?   A LVEF of 37% is not good; but, not congestive heart failure.  If they left off at that I would get a second opinion if possible or pester them for an explanation of why it dropped.   I have just started to understand diabetes and testing.  I have noticed when I'm stressed or upset my glucose numbers rise along with my BP and HR.  Though as I said I'm new to this diabetes thing.

I had an EF of 72 three years ago and last year it dropped to 52% in which is still ok I guess.  I never received an answer as to why I had the drop though.  I personally understand the $ issue but, with yours being at 37% I think I would be verry concerned too.  I hope someone will chime in on here for you with more knowledge than I.   I'm here though if you just need an ear.  Take care;  Amy